After three defeats on the trot in the Bundesliga, Werder Bremen finally picked up a point in a 2:2 (1:1) on the 23 match day of the season against Borussia Mönchengladbach.
After three defeats on the trot in the Bundesliga, Werder Bremen finally picked up a point in a 2:2 (1:1) on the 23 match day of the season against Borussia Mönchengladbach.
After three defeats on the trot in the Bundesliga, Werder Bremen finally picked up a point in a 2:2 (1:1) on the 23 match day of the season against Borussia Mönchengladbach. Pierre Wome gave the Green-Whites the lead with a rocket shot from distance which found its way into the top corner of the net (11’). Michael Delura cancelled out the lead with quick equaliser just six minutes later. A second half strike, again from distance, from substitute Jurica Vranjes put Werder Bremen in front again (84’) but in the fourth minute of added time Nando Raphael snatched a last ditch equaliser to give Gladbach a lucky share of the points.
Three days after having qualified for the last sixteen of the UEFA Cup, Thomas Schaaf made only one change to his starting eleven for their tie against Borussia Mönchengladbach. Peter Niemeyer replaced Petri Pasanen in the right full-back position. The 23 year old showed signs of the potential he possesses in his first start for his new club but was overshadowed by the quality of the performance from his colleague Pierre Wome on the left sided of the back four.
Wome shines
The powerfully built Cameroon international was constantly available down the left flank, supporting the Werder attack and was involved in the first Werder attack after mere minutes. Wome played a perfectly weighted pass to Tim Borowski who in turn fed Miroslav Klose in the Gladbach box but keeper Kasey Keller was quick off his line to clear from the German international striker.
Per Kluge was the most prominent member of the home side and fired in Gladbach’s first shot on goal in the seventh minute. Naldo spotted the danger and was able to block Kluge’s effort and clear his lines. A minute later there was further stress in the Werder defence. Wome was able to clear a corner but only as far as Kluge who combined with Gohouri to get the ball to Nando Raphael. The Borussia striker got his shot away and proved only slightly off target.
Werder hit back quickly in a game that was swinging from end to end at a fair pace. Miroslav Klose put a cross in from the right in search of the head of Hugo Almeida but the Portuguese striker was beaten to the to the ball by the fist of Keller (8’). Three minutes later though the American national keeper was powerless to prevent the visitors taking the lead. 30 meters out the Werder full back was given acres of space to take on the ball and let a ferocious shot fly. The ball took a slight deflection before nestling in the top corner of the net. 0:1.
Niemeyer misses out on speedy second
The Green-Whites didn’t waste much time with celebrations, instead they set about the task of getting a second immediately. Daniel Jensen picked up a pass from Wome on the edge of the box but Keller was on hand to rescue his side from a further deficit. The resulting corner was swung in by Diego and Peter Niemeyer rose to head homewards but was denied his first goal in the Green-White by a fantastic reflex save by Keller.
Borrusia saw their opportunity, with the Werder defence pushed up for the set piece, to hit back and get back on level terms. Kluge played a perfect pass into the run of Michael Delura who in turn slotted the ball between the legs of the advancing Tim Wiese to make it 1:1 (17’).
Werder had the bulk of the play in a pacy tie but failed to create any further clear openings during the first period. After the break Gladbach came out rejuvenated and far more courageous than during the first 45 minutes. The home side were willing to attack and abandon what had been a very defensive policy and managed to create a number of chances of their own. Nando Raphael (47’), Per Kluge (49’), Michael Delura (51’) and Marcell Jensen (52’) all had sight of goal but failed to capitalize.
It took the visitors good ten minutes of the second half to find their footing again by which stage Aaron Hunt had been introduced in place of Almeida who picked up a head injury in a challenge with Gohouri and was unable to continue. Jurica Vranjes was also thrown into the mix to replace Tim Borowski and Werder began to pin the Gladbach side back into their defensive tactic.
Werder somehow lacked the power and speed of thought to unhinge the Gladbach defence. When something was created, then generally down the left through Pierre Wome. The Cameroon national placed a cross perfectly on the head of Miroslav Klose who did well to test Keller. The American keeper was able to gather safely though at the second attempt (63’).
Mertesacker injured
The visitors had yet more to worry about in the 77th minute. Per Mertesacker and Gohouri clashed heads going for the ball in the Werder penalty area and both had to be treated for several minutes. A bloody Mertesacker had to be stretchered from the pitch and was replaced by Petri Pasanen.
Four minutes later and further celebrations. Gladbach were unable to clear from a Werder break and as the ball fell to Vranjes he hammered the ball back through a packed box to make it 2:1 for Werder with his 25 meter effort. The winning goal? Unfortnately not from a Green-White point of view.
Due to the long period of treatment for injuries, referee Dr. Fleischer packed an extra four minutes on to the end of the game – one minute too long for Bremen. Gohouri knocked a free-kick from Insua on to Raphael who shot from a tight angle to make it 2:2. What looked like a guaranteed win slipped away from Bremen at the very last – two points stolen at the death which would have seen Werder return to second place.
